Agenda - 03-03-2011 - 6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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The HPC accepted the formal Part 2 application to consider Murphey School for designation into the Local Landmark Program at its October 27, 2010 meeting, thus initiating the application process. Mr. Miller's application materials, along with the first two pages of this staff report were forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review and comment. The HPC received a favorable response from the SHPO staff at its December 8, 2010 meeting: "We have reviewed the report and find it to be complete, providing the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission with information sufficient to find that the Murphey School has the requisite special significance and integrity for local landmark designation." The SHPO also noted, "that, if the Council [BOCC] wishes to extend the Commission's [HPC] authority to significant interior features, the owner must give consent and the designation ordinance must specify the particular features subject to review and describe the nature of the Commission's design authority over them." The HPC agreed with the SHPO's assessment that application is complete. Members systematically reviewed the Murphey School using its historic site evaluation form and found that the property scored very favorably— concurring with the SHPO's assessment that Murphey School has the historic and architectural significance appropriate for local designation. Members discussed the SHPO's comments regarding the review of interior features. Mr. Miller recounted his efforts to preserve as much of the interior of the building as permitted while meeting the Building Code requirements, and felt it appropriate to extend the HPC's authority over those key elements of the interior that he had worked so hard to protect. HPC members read through the Certificate of Appropriateness - Project Review Form, while reviewing the Murphey School Local Landmark application to ensure that the application contained enough information for future HPC members to review a future Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application. Members felt that the information in the application report was sufficient and that with a well - crafted designation ordinance future property owners/ HPC members would be able to understand the scope of the HPC's authority to review changes to the property -site, building(s) exterior and interior. Based on this discussion, the HPC requested that designation ordinance include the following additional language: In accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes and the Orange County Historic Preservation Ordinance, the exterior and site features of all historic landmarks are always under the purview of the Historic Preservation Commission's Certificate of Appropriateness Provisions. The jurisdiction of the Historic Preservation Commission may also extend over interior spaces with the consent of the owner. The Historic Preservation Commission shall include in its jurisdiction for Murphey School the preservation of the following interior features that it finds to be unique and important to the property, and to which the owner has agreed: the auditorium; including the stage itself and coffered ceiling; the transom; the beaded board sheathing; and the pressed tin ceilings and wood floors throughout. The HPC voted unanimously to request a public hearing with the BOCC, as required by Section 3.7 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, for March 3, 2011. The HPC will have 60 days following the public hearing to prepare and submit to the BOCC a recommendation on Murphey School; the recommendation may be approval, approval with conditions, or denial. Failure to submit a recommendation within 60 days shall be considered a favorable recommendation without conditions. The Board of County Commissioners shall not consider enactment of a proposed ordinance until 60 days after the date of the public hearing or until the HPC prepares its recommendation, whichever comes first. The HPC determines the appropriateness of changes to all locally designated properties based on approved design standards, with reference to the designation ordinance, the application materials and the designation report. 3